Therapeutic Plasmapheresis in Treatment

.AMONG the many complications suffered by patients with Waldenstriim’s macroglobulinemia are those related to increased blood viscosity.16 These include vascular stasis, retinopathy, and a bleeding disorder due to acquired functional thrombopathy.4 T h e latter is considered due to coating of platelets by macroglobulin, rendering them incapable of participating normally in the coagulation process.11 Plasmapheresis, a procedure well within the capability of the medium-sized laboratory, can reduce viscosi ty rapidly by lowering serum macroglobulin levels and, as a result, alleviate related symptoms. T h e three patients reported below exemplify the usefulness of this form of treatment.